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Australia in command

Michael Slater and Steve Waugh plundered centuries as Australia established a first innings lead over New Zealand in the second cricket Test at the Basin Reserve in Wellington on Saturday.

Looking shaky at 51 for four after the loss of two wickets in the first 35 minutes, Australia set up a 20-run first innings lead over the Kiwis at the end of the second day's play.

Slater claimed his 14th Test hundred and Waugh his 22nd as they put on 199 runs for the fifth wicket to seize the initiative and put the pressure back on Stephen Fleming's Black Caps with three days to play.

At the close, Australia were 318 for five with Waugh unconquered on 109 and Damien Martyn not out 41. The Kiwis scored 298 in their first innings on Friday.

It was Slater and Waugh's near record partnership which swung the balance after first innings centurion Chris Cairns had removed Justin Langer (12) and Mark Waugh (3). Slater crashed 22 fours and a six in his 278-minute innings to be finally out when he attempted to hook part-time bowler Craig McMillan and was caught behind by Adam Parore about an hour before bad light stopped play.

The partnership fell just 14 runs short of the fifth wicket partnership of 213 between the two countries, set 14 years ago by Greg Ritchie and Greg Matthews at the ground.

Slater and Waugh became the first Australian batsmen to score Test centuries in New Zealand since Allan Border's 114 at Christchurch in 1986.

Waugh, like Slater looking for a big score after a recent run of outs, passed England's David Gower to become Test cricket's sixth all-time leading run-getter. He also passed David Boon and Neil Harvey to become the fourth Australian batsmen with the most Test hundreds behind Greg Chappell, Allan Border and Don Bradman.

Waugh brought up his century in 260 minutes with 16 fours.

Upon Slater's departure Martyn came to the crease and continued Australia's scoring momentum to put on an unfinished 68 runs for the sixth wicket in his breezy 41.

New Zealand laboured away without Auckland Test spinning hero Daniel Vettori, who did not return for the final session after injuring his lower back while fielding. The attack was carried by Cairns, but he was punished with the second new ball and in one over he went for 13 runs.

Fleming admitted to problems containing the Australian batsmen on a flat pitch heading into Sunday's third day and the likelihood of a significant Australian innings lead with Adam Gilchrist next in.

Australia, who lead the three-match series after a 62-run victory in last week's Auckland Test, are chasing a record ninth consecutive Test victory here after equalling a 79-year-old Australian milestone in the opening Test against New Zealand.

New Zealand began strongly in the morning session when Cairns, who slammed 109 in the first innings, had Langer caught behind for 12 and Mark Waugh caught close to the wicket for three to leave the Australians at 51 for four.

Cairns finished the day with 2-83 off 20 overs while Simon Doull, McMillan and Vettori claimed a wicket each.

Kiwis rally on opening day of Test